toppern.1
/ˈtɒpə/, U.S. /ˈtɑpər/, Irish English /ˈtɑpər/ I. A person who or thing which performs the action of topping someone or something (in various senses of top v.1).† 2. Dice. A player who uses topping (topping n.1 9) as a method of cheating. By extension: any person who tricks or deceives another; a cheat. Obsolete.
1.
a. A person who cuts off the top of something, esp. trees, bushes, weeds, etc. Also: an instrument or machine for doing this; spec. †(a) a small pair of shears used to remove the snuff (snuff n.1 1a) from a candle (obsolete); (b) (Irish English colloquial) a pencil sharpener.
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the world > food and drink > farming > forestry or arboriculture > [noun] > pruning or lopping > pruner
shraggerc1440
twister1483
lopper1538
snedder1584
pruner1586
shredder1589
primer1611
topper1688
the world > matter > light > darkness or absence of light > [noun] > extinguishing light > that which extinguishes (candles or torches)
snitelc1000
candle-quencher1382
sniters1382
sniting tongsa1425
snuffer1465
sniting instrumentc1475
candle-shears1483
sniting iron1483
out-quencher1535
candle-snuffer1552
snufter1558
extinguisher1562
dout1573
douter1622
topper1688
link-extinguisher1859
squencher1871
1602 J. Darrell Replie to Answer I. Deacon & I. Walker i. 18 You are like the prudent topper of trees, that strikes in sunder the verie bough hee stands on.
1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory iii. 381/2 A pair of Snuffers, or a pair of Toppers.
1770 L. Carter Diary 25 July (1965) I. 456 The small Tobacco in the hills has not to my thoughts started any thing. However the toppers say it does.
1855 G. Emerson Farmer's & Planter's Encycl. Rural Affairs (new ed.) 1049/2 The topper carries in his hand a measure 6 inches long, by occasionally applying which, he can regulate the priming with great accuracy.
1883 H. Walker in Leisure Hour 505/1 Beeches unscathed by topper and lopper.
1978 Trans. Amer. Soc. Agric. Engineers Sept. 839/2 The function of the field topper was to cut the tops of the onions, while they were still in the bed.
2010 @misterebby 26 Mar. in twitter.com (accessed 2 Mar. 2022) I've misplaced my favourite pen, and I've no topper to sharpen my pencil.
2018 Irish Independent (Nexis) 18 Sept. 42 A rotary mower that bridges the gap between a traditional grass topper and flail mower.
b. A type of file used by combmakers, having the shape of an equilateral triangle with two sides being single-cut and one smooth. Cf. carlet n.2, found n.3
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1852 C. Tomlinson Cycl. Useful Arts (1854) I. 419/2 Some of these files are shown in section in Fig. 606, the teeth being shown at the points indicated by the double lines; a is a float, b the graille,..e the topper.
1895 Oracle Encycl. II. 125/1 Finished off with wedge-shaped files, called the graille, carlet, topper, &c.
1975 R. A. Salman Dict. Tools in Woodworking 152/1 Floats of Vee-shaped cross section..are called Found, Carlet, and Topper.
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society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > games of chance > dice-playing > [noun] > player > cheat
colec1555
foisterc1555
cogger1576
palmer1671
topper1671
tat-monger1688
tatsman1825
dice-man1871
1671 T. Shadwell Humorists iii. 40 Nor is it five Moneths since I saw you..by the help of a dozen men, chastize one poor Topper or Palmer.
1687 J. Phillips tr. M. de Cervantes Don Quixote ii. iii. xvi. 515 Now to shew that I am no Topper nor Paumer, no Low or High-fullum Man, needs no other proof then my refusal to give him any thing.
1717 Way of Town 33 There are, among this motley Crew, All sorts of these, and some are Toppers too.
3. A horse or rider skilled in jumping fences and similar obstacles. Now only in timber-topper n.
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the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > habits and actions of horse > [noun] > leap > that jumps fence
fencer1850
topper1854
1837 J. R. O'Flanagan Impressions at Home & Abroad I. iii. 60 The nag what does the trick over five-feet walls, has to meet some trained topper, whose forte is leaping ditches.
1854 J. W. Warter Last of Old Squires xii. 133 A fence that would have baulked a Leicestershire topper.
1897 Daily News 24 June 7/7 Merry Duchess..seems likely to develop into a first-rate fence topper.
1997 Daily Tel. 19 May s13/1 (headline) Saluter hailed as timber topper.
4. A person who makes the upper or top part of a garment. Now chiefly historical.
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the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > tailoring or making clothes > [noun] > carrying out specific processes > other > one who
presser1549
button-hole hand1858
fitter1858
buttonholer1860
buttoner1863
topper1884
1884 E. Simcox in 19th Cent. June 1041 A shirtmaker proper, otherwise called a ‘topper’.
1905 Daily Chron. 23 June 8/7 Shirt Hands.—Wanted a few good button-holers and toppers.
1936 Women's Bureau News-lett. (U.S. Dept. Labor) Sept. 5 A general commentary on the strain, speed and pressure in factory work was made by a topper in a hosiery mill.
1966 Decisions & Orders National Labor Relations Board (U.S.) 152 1053 At this point the legs have been pressed and the pants are ready for the topper.
1991 E. Faue in A. Baron Work Engendered 306 A labor force divided largely along gender and skill lines, with only the intermediary job category of topper open to both men and women.
II. An exceptionally good or high-ranking person, an outstanding example of something, and related senses.† 6. A large, breaking wave. Obsolete.
5.
a. colloquial. An exceptionally good person or thing; an outstandingly good or pre-eminent example of a particular kind or type. Now somewhat dated.
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the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > excellence > [noun] > excellent person or thing
carbunclea1350
swanc1386
phoenixc1400
diamondc1440
broocha1464
surmounterc1500
sovereign?a1513
primrose peerless1523
superlative1577
transcendent1593
Arabian birda1616
crack1637
first rate1681
peach1710
phoenicle1711
admiration1717
spanker1751
first-raterc1760
no slouch of1767
nailer1806
tip-topper1822
ripper1825
ripstaver1828
apotheosis1832
clinker1836
clipper1836
bird1839
keener1839
ripsnorter1840
beater1845
firecracker1845
pumpkin1845
screamer1846
stunner1847
bottler1855
beaut1866
bobby-dazzler1866
one out of the box1867
stem-winder1875
corker1877
trimmer1878
hot stuff1884
daisy1886
jim-dandy1887
cracker1891
jim-hickey1895
peacherino1896
pippin1897
alpha plus1898
peacherine1900
pip1900
humdinger1905
bosker1906
hummer1907
good egg1914
superstar1914
the berries1918
bee's knee1923
the cat's whiskers1923
smash1923
smash hit1923
brahma1925
dilly1935
piss-cutter1935
killer1937
killer-diller1938
a hard act to follow1942
peacheroo1942
bitch1946
brammerc1950
hot shit1960
Tiffany1973
bollocks1981
1691 Wit for Money: or, Poet Stutter Ep. Ded. sig. Av From the Modern Play-writers, to the high toppers of the Profession, I expect to find you all at Daggers drawing.
1709 Brit. Apollo 30 Mar.–1 Apr. A Bowl that is full of Punch, of all these is the Topper.
1802 R. Anderson Bards of Tyne 22 The king's meade a bit of a speech, And gentlefwok say it's a topper.
1828 W. Carr Dial. Craven (ed. 2) (at cited word) This coat's a topper for turning rain.
1894 J. D. Astley Fifty Years of my Life I. 59 He was a real good fellow then, and..he is a topper now.
1935 G. Blake Shipbuilders (1986) i. 19 ‘She's a nice job, when you look at her.’ ‘A topper!’ said the foreman rigger gravely.
1991 Daily Mail 23 Oct. 53/4 He can be pretty outlandish but he's a topper of a bloke.
b. U.S. Military slang. In the U.S. Army or Marine Corps: the highest-ranking non-commissioned officer in a company or equivalent unit; the first sergeant. Also as a form of address or nickname. Cf. top n.1 32c.
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society > armed hostility > warrior > soldier > leader or commander > officer by rank > [noun] > sergeant-major
first sergeant1776
sergeant-major1802
company sergeant major1813
S.M.1890
top1898
top sergeant1898
major1901
RSM1913
top cutter1917
top kick1918
Sar-Major1919
top soldier1926
Sarn't-major1946
1917 Our Paper (Mass. Reformatory) 13 Oct. 486/2 The regimental commander approved the recommendation and the little fellow is now the ‘topper’.
1918 Radiator 22 Aug. 2 Sergeant Hulbert, the ‘topper’ of 95.
1937 Our Army (U.S.) Jan. 19 ‘I'm sure there's no Lieutenant McGonigle here,’ replies the Topper.
1942 Yank (N.Y. ed.) 21 Oct. 15/1 If they've been raised to master sergeant, how come most of the toppers are still wearing the same kind of tech chevrons with the diamond?
2007 K. G. Laufenberg Semper-Fi-do-or-Die (2016) (e-book, accessed 24 Feb. 2022) xl. 170 The dude probably went to the Topper.
c. Indian English. The leading student in a particular class, school, exam, etc.; a high-achieving student. Cf. topnotcher n. 2.
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1968 J. Di Bona in P. G. Altbach Turmoil & Transition iv. 154 On the basis of the Registrar's Records of applicants 66 toppers applied for Arts courses at Allahabad.
1971 Times of India 10 Oct. 2/2 (advt.) Match for an attractive, highly accomplished girl, convent educated, University topper.
1992 N. Bhattacharya Hem & Football ii. 24 In our class there was fierce competition among the different groups... Surprisingly, Ramola, the freckle-faced leader of the Pickle group, was the topper.
2022 Hindustan Times (Nexis) 9 Feb. (headline) Girls toppers in all streams as 75% students clear exam.
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the world > the earth > water > flow or flowing > wave > types of waves > [noun] > unusually large
sea1582
tenth wave1585
sea-mountain1694
mountain wave1696
seventh wave1759
death wave1832
fluctuosity1850
Spanish wave1852
ranger1891
1828 Jew Exile II. x. 58 There's a topper! there's a lunge into the trough! now up again.
1868 G. MacDonald Seaboard Parish II. xii. 236 ‘Halt!’ cried Joe, when we were yet but a few yards beyond the shelter of the rocks. ‘There's a topper coming.’
1926 Courier (Dundee) 2 Jan. 8/1 A wave 70 feet high is regarded as a ‘topper’ by experienced seamen.
7. An action, remark, etc., that surpasses or betters everything that has gone before, esp. in being more amusing or more outrageous.
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the world > action or operation > completing > [noun] > that which > finishing touch or crowning act
copestone1567
last hand1567
colophon1628
capstone1685
grace stroke1686
finishing stroke1695
coup de grâce1699
touch-up1733
finish1779
crowner1815
coping-stone1860
grace note1922
topper1940
1933 Motion Picture Mar. 12/3 The topper came, however, when the thief was caught and brought to court. When Fields [i.e. the victim] appeared to face the defendant, the Judge looked for a time at the two men. Then he asked: ‘Which one is being held for the robbery?’
1940 J. O'Hara Pal Joey 98 It was a famous historical topper when Josephine was informed that the poor people did not have any bread and she said ‘Why don't they eat some cake’.
1973 Black Panther 6 Oct. 6/3 The topper is that Foster completes this vicious cycle with a cold beg..to get his money under the..Law Enforcement Assistance Act.
1985 W. Sheed Frank & Maisie x. 221 The topper was a late-evening interview with an old man called Livingston, who ran the place and had never heard of Danny Kaye.
2003 Independent 29 July i. 16/4 No comedian was more adroit at timing a ‘topper’ (a gag that tops the previous gag) or more concerned with wording.
III. slang. A blow to the head.
8. A blow to the head. Frequently in to give (a person) a topper. Now rare.
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the world > movement > impact > striking > striking on specific part of the body > [noun] > on the head
nope1684
nobber1811
nob1812
nobbing1819
cob1828
nobbler1848
1785 Proc. Old Bailey 6 Apr. 571/2 One of them said, damn his eyes, give him a topper at once.
1834 W. H. Ainsworth Rookwood III. iv. ii. 245 Vile Jem..Straight threatened Tommy with a topper.
1887 G. M. Fenn Dick o' the Fens xvi How I should have liked to give him a topper with the pole.
1931 Armidale (New S. Wales) Express 6 Mar. 10/3 I gave him a topper once, and I'll let him have it again.
IV. Something which sits on top of, or forms the top of, another thing, and related senses.† 11. In plural. The largest and best items of fresh produce, esp. fruit, displayed at the top of a punnet, box, etc., in order to give customers a favourable impression of the wares. Obsolete.Chiefly in the use of market gardeners and greengrocers.
9. slang. A person's head. In later use U.S., only in to blow one's topper (see blow v.1 24i) and similar phrases. Now rare.
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1819 Statesman 18 June His topper, from its silvery traits, bore the impressive marks of antiquity.
1821 P. Egan Life in London 182 She..says she will smash his topper, if he attempts to take any more liberties with her person.
?1836 Comic Songster 7 Don't let fear ever enter your topper.
1949 A. Murphy To Hell & Back iii. 33 I should have known he'd popped his topper.
1971 Springville (Utah) Herald 4 Mar. 9/7 I'll blow my topper if the Freshmen win.
10. † a. slang. A hat. Obsolete.
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1820 Sporting Mag. Sept. 269/2 The wind..blew his white topper out of the ring.
1843 Bell's Life in London 12 Mar. Brown..with a great deal of modesty threw his topper into the ring.
1856 John Bull & Britannia 30 Aug. 555/2 His topper so askew and askance on his knowledge-box.
b. colloquial. A man's formal hat with a high cylindrical crown; = top hat n. 1.See also bell-topper n.
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the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > headgear > [noun] > hat > tall > cylindrical > top hat
stovepipe1851
bell-topper1858
top hat1881
tile-hat1937
1878 H. A. Roche On Trek in Transvaal vii. 139 An unmitigated ‘topper’, stove-pipe, or whatever the real name of that unsightly head-covering, of which our civilized nations have never got the better, crowns him.
1885 A. Jessopp in 19th Cent. July 48 We all wear black coats and dark trousers and ‘toppers’, at least in London.
1930 E. Wallace Calendar vi. 73 [He] was resplendent in his grey topper and his perfectly fitting morning suit.
?1978 E. Chappell Rising Damp (2002) iv. vi. 521/1 Rigsby tries on his topper, which sinks gently over his eyes.
2008 Independent 12 May (Extra section) 10/5 His show, with its floral tea-dresses, striped blazers, racing silks and toppers, was a homage to Ascot.
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the world > food and drink > food > fruit and vegetables > fruit or a fruit > [noun] > finest fruit displayed
toppers1834
1834 Weekly Visitor 14 Jan. 13/2 These toppers were the largest sized strawberries, picked out on purpose to put on the tops of the other pottles, to make them look better than they really were.
1891 Brit. Workman Aug. The punnet was a very bad case of what is generally bad enough at the best—of ‘toppers’. The few good berries at the top were the only good ones.
1898 Daily Tel. 2 Mar. 5/4 Has a keen eye for ‘toppers’..the attractive oranges which are displayed in the first row in order to entice buyers.
12. slang. The butt of a cigarette or cigar; (also) the remains of tobacco in the bowl of a pipe. Now rare.
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the world > physical sensation > use of drugs and poison > tobacco > smoking > articles or materials used in smoking > [noun] > thing which may be smoked > cigar or cigarette > butt or end of
doup1710
butt end1827
old soldier1834
butt1847
stub1855
cigar-end1870
stub-end1875
cigarette-end1889
cigar-butt1891
snipe1891
fag end1892
fag1897
bumper1899
scag1915
cigarette-butt1923
dout1928
dog-end1934
roach1939
stompie1947
1874 Hotten's Slang Dict. (rev. ed.) 327 Topper, the tobacco which is left in the bottom of a pipe-bowl..; or the stump of a smoked cigar.
c1889 F. Bowyer Thereby hangs Tale (sheet music) 5 Picking up the ‘toppers’ and ends of cigarettes, Selling lights and papers, he a living gets.
c1897 F. Leo All Becos Minding 'Ouse (sheet music) There 'e stands outside the front street door, Smoking a topper wot 'e's found.
1985 R. Kavan Freedom at Price i. 10 We all collect toppers and roll the tobacco into fresh cigarettes.
13. A person who or thing which is placed at the top of a list, poll, ranking, etc. Typically with modifying word, as in chart-topper, table-topper.Recorded earliest in bill-topper n.
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1909 A. Castaigne (title) The Bill-toppers.
1933 Evening Tel. & Post (Dundee) 18 Oct. (Extra Late ed.) 8/5 One club sticks out as being worthy of the highest praise for their efforts. That clubs [sic] is East Fife, who are only two points behind the table-toppers, King's Park.
1964 Daily Mail 17 July 10/3 Those U.S. chart-toppers The Beach Boys leap in at 36 with ‘I Get Around’.
1991 J. Waters Jiving at Crossroads xviii. 180 He had been a TD in the constituency for twelve years, a poll-topper who had appeared to have acquired the state of political immortality.
2019 Daily Independent (Nigeria) (Nexis) 28 Nov. The English outfit are the toppers of the table, and are yet to concede a single goal in their whole Europa campaign.
14. Originally and chiefly U.S. A woman's loose-fitting, usually lightweight topcoat, esp. one that is knee-length or shorter. Also more fully topper coat, topper jacket.Chiefly in use from the 1930s to the 1950s.
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the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > clothing for body or trunk (and limbs) > [noun] > jacket > loose
baju1820
shirt-jacket1826
camisole1847
Norfolk jacket1866
jigger1957
1923 Official Gaz. (U.S. Patent Office) 15 May 546/1 William Kleinberg, Rochester, N. Y... Particular description of goods.—Topper coats.
1937 Los Angeles Times 2 Sept. 5/1 (advt.) Soft, fluffy casual toppers tailored in the best British way.
1948 N.Y. Times Mag. 8 Feb. 38 (advt.) A boxy topper with cardigan neckline.
1972 Country Life 30 Nov. 1533 Printed dress..worn with a topper jacket in orange wool.
2020 E. K. Musavi Wife of Doctor (e-book, accessed 31 Mar. 2022) It was further charged that I was wearing a white topper (a loose fitting, flowing jacket fashionable at the time) and red shoes.
15.
a. North American. A topping for food; (originally) spec. a garnish added to the top of a serving of ice cream.
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1939 Hobbs (New Mexico) Daily News-Sun 13 June 3/1 Hot or cold chocolate sauces, crunchy nuts.., fresh fruits, preserved fruits, and marshmallow cream—are all good toppers.
1952 Good Housek. (U.S. ed.) Dec. 166/2 A trio of tasty toppers for ice cream, custards, or cake.
2003 Better Homes & Gardens Sept. 254/2 Serve chutney as a topper for cheese or as a condiment.
b. Something which is placed on top of another object, typically for protection or decoration. Frequently as the second element in compounds in which the first element indicates the object which is covered or topped.
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1945 Sunday Star (Washington, D.C.) 6 Apr. (Mag.) 21/3 Tie the stem with a crisp, colorful satin bow and use the cluster as a decorative topper for the Thanksgiving sweet bowl.
1992 Globe & Mail (Toronto) 6 Aug. (Fashion Suppl.) 4/1 (advt.) Table-toppers sculpted in charcoal marble. For plants, flowers or just for fun.
1999 C. Mendelson Home Comforts lvii. 683/2 You can buy a firm mattress and lay a separate soft pad or ‘topper’ over it.
2015 Daily Tel. 11 Dec. 32/3 (advt.) This beautifully soft 100 per cent white duck feather mattress topper will add unbelievable comfort to your existing mattress.
2019 RetroFan Spring 31/2 The second version was marketed as a Captain Marvel Pencil Topper that was slightly smaller (2 inches).
16. U.S. A hard lightweight cover or shell that can be attached to the back or bed of a pickup truck to create an enclosed rear area, typically with windows and a hatch at the back; spec. a type of camper mounted on a truck bed in this way (cf. pickup camper n.).
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society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > powered vehicle > parts and equipment of motor vehicles > [noun] > body or bodywork > covering over specific parts
cowling1917
sump guard1957
1949 Sears Catal. Spring–Summer 951/3 Allstate pickup topper. Easy to put on—sides roll up. Fits ½-ton pickups... The entire ‘Pickup Topper’ is easily mounted or removed from your truck in a few minutes.
1989 Chicago Tribune 26 Feb. xvii. 7/4 (caption) Corvette topper. The Chevrolet Corvette convertible hardtop, first offered in 1956..and discontinued along with the ragtop in 1975.
2007 Hoosier Times (Bloomington, Indiana) 11 Mar. (Herald-Times ed.) g2/2 I thought I was stuck with a four-door pickup with a topper (this is great because the dogs can stick their heads out the back and enjoy the scenery when I am going slow enough).
Compounds
topper set n. U.S. a matching loose-fitting top and shorts for babies.Chiefly in use from the 1950s to the 1970s.
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1952 Johnson City Press-Chronicle 27 Apr. (Baby section) 9/2 Another popular outfit for baby is the topper set.
1960 Chron.-Telegram (Elyria, Ohio) 11 June 11/3 Here's Margie's little blue topper set..Can you believe she ever was small enough for that?
1981 Richardson (Texas) Daily News 30 July 3 (advt.) Rosebud print topper set with eyelet trim. Newborn.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2022).
toppern.2
/ˈtɒpə/, U.S. /ˈtɑpər/ Chiefly slang or colloquial.
1.
a. A ‘top’ thing or person; a person or thing surpassingly or exceptionally good or excellent; the best or one of the best of the kind. colloquial.
Π
1709 Brit. Apollo 30 Mar.–1 Apr. A Bowl that is full of Punch, of all these is the Topper.
1802 R. Anderson Bards of Tyne 22 The king's meade a bit of a speech, And gentle~fwok say it's a topper.
1825 J. T. Brockett Gloss. North Country Words Topper, any thing superior—a clever, or extraordinary person.
1828 W. Carr Dial. Craven (ed. 2) (at cited word) This coat's a topper for turning rain.
1891 A. Lang Angling Sketches 115 He gets flurried with a big fish... And this one is a topper.
1894 J. D. Astley Fifty Years of my Life I. 59 He was a real good fellow then, and..he is a topper now.
b. U.S. Military slang. A first sergeant. Cf. top n.1
Π
1918 Radiator 22 Aug. 2 Sergeant Hulbert, the ‘topper’ of 95.
1937 Our Army (U.S.) Jan. 19 ‘I'm sure there's no Lieutenant McGonigle here,’ replies the Topper.
2.
a. A top-hat, a tall hat. slang and colloquial.
Π
1820 Sporting Mag. 6 269 The wind blew his white topper out of the ring.
1885 Jessopp in 19th Cent. July 48 We all wear black coats and dark trousers and ‘toppers’, at least in London.
1905 H. A. Vachell Hill v The ‘topper’ you wear on Sunday.
b. A kind of loose-fitting jacket or short coat worn by women or children. Originally and chiefly U.S.
Π
1937 Los Angeles Times 2 Sept. 5/1 (advt.) Soft, fluffy casual toppers tailored in the best British way.
1938 Sears, Roebuck Catal. Spring–Summer 20/2 The absolutely perfect topper coat.
1948 N.Y. Times Mag. 8 Feb. 38 (advt.) A boxy topper with cardigan neckline.
1960 News Chron. 22 July 6/4 Attractive little top jackets (‘toppers’).
1972 Country Life 30 Nov. 1533 Printed dress..worn with a topper jacket in orange wool.
1978 Detroit Free Press 4 Mar. d10/4 (advt.) There are girls' topper sets and perky dresses.
3. A blow on the ‘top’ or head. slang.
Π
1785 Sessions Papers 6 Apr. 571/2 One of them said, damn his eyes, give him a topper at once.
1803 in Occas. Papers Univ. Sydney Austral. Lang. Res. Centre (1980) No. 18. 44 He..had ‘knocked him down and given him a topper for luck!’
1834 W. H. Ainsworth Rookwood III. iv. ii. 245 Vile Jem..Straight threatened Tommy with a topper.
1887 G. M. Fenn Dick o' the Fens xvi How I should have liked to give him a topper with the pole.
4. plural. The largest and finest fruit (esp. strawberries) displayed at the top of a punnet or package; cf. to top one's fruit at top v.1 9c. slang.
Π
1839 Mogridge Old Humphrey's Observ. 252 There are toppers in dress,..and toppers in religion, as well as toppers in strawberries.
1891 Brit. Workman Aug. The punnet was a very bad case of what is generally bad enough at the best—of ‘toppers’. The few good berries at the top were the only good ones.
1898 Daily Tel. 2 Mar. 5/4 Has a keen eye for ‘toppers’..the attractive oranges which are displayed in the first row in order to entice buyers.
5. A large wave with curling or breaking summit.
Π
1863 N. Macleod Reminisc. Highland Parish iii Quick as lightning the little craft, having again gathered way,..is spinning over the third topper, not a drop of water having come over the lee gunwale.
6. A cigar-stump or cigarette-end; also, the remains of tobacco in a pipe-bowl. slang.
Π
1874 Hotten's Slang Dict. (rev. ed.) 327 Topper, the tobacco which is left in the bottom of a pipe-bowl..; or the stump of a smoked cigar.
1888 in Cassell's Encycl. Dict. VII.
1902 Westm. Gaz. 13 Nov. 5/1 It was his custom to rise before daybreak every morning and search the streets of the West End,..picking up the ends of cigarettes and cigars commonly known as ‘toppers’.
Derivatives
slang.
ˈtopper v. (transitive) to knock on the head; to kill by a ‘topper’ or blow on the head.
Π
1846 E. Farmer Sel. Orig. Songs 28 Full ninety [rats] had died, Without counting seven they'd topper'd outside.
ˈtoppering n.
Π
1829 P. Egan Boxiana New Ser. II. 671 The topper-ing system was in full practice, till poor Cock Robin went down quite exhausted!
Draft additions June 2015
Indian English. The leading student in a particular class, school, exam, etc.; a high-achieving student. Frequently with preceding word.
Π
1971 Times of India 10 Oct. 2/2 (advt.) Match for an attractive, highly accomplished girl, convent educated, University topper.
1992 N. Bhattacharya Hem & Football ii. 24 In our class there was fierce competition among the different groups... Surprisingly, Ramola, the freckle-faced leader of the Pickle group, was the topper.
2004 BusinessWeek 1 Mar. 92/2 Deepa and her friends... aced the grueling national exams..winning places in the school of computer science. They're known as ‘toppers’.
2014 Indian Express (Nexis) 10 Sept. A Class V student of St Xaviers' School, Deepak is a class topper, and he brings his determination and hard work to his music too.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online March 2020).
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n.11602n.21709- to turn to water
- to turn toeside
- to turn topple-tail
- to turn toppletail
- to turn turk
- to turn turn off the water
- to turn turtle
- to turn up
- to turn up a person's heels
- to turn up missing
- to turn up one's heels
- to turn up one's nose
- to turn up one's nose at
- to turn up rough
- to turn up the eggs ie the whites of one's eyes
- to turn up the eggs of one's eyes
- to turn up the little finger
- to turn up the whites of one's eyes
- to turn up to eleven
- to turn up trumps
- to turn upon
- to turn upon a dime
- to turn upon a sixpence
- to turn upside down
- to turn white into black